The band's last album before their seven-year hiatus between 1998 and 2005, Back from the Dead is marked by the heavy hardcore and groove metal elements Obituary messed with before returning to the old ways with Frozen in Time. That said, they remain among the filthiest, sludgiest death metal bands to wear the label. Even when the tempos rev up to almost fast, the overall sound can only be described as "fat." Add in John Tardy's vocal sado-masochism and you get one of the most important bands of their genre, well past their prime but far from finished.